Electromagnetism was initially discovered by Hans Christian Ørsted in 1820 when he found that an electric current produces a magnetic field that can deflect a compass needle. Later, Michael Faraday expanded on this by discovering electromagnetic induction in 1831, showing that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current. These foundational discoveries were crucial to understanding and developing electromagnetic theory and technologies.
Key Contributors to Electromagnetism
- Hans Christian Ørsted (1820) : Discovered the magnetic effect of electric currents, establishing the direct link between electricity and magnetism.
- Michael Faraday (1831) : Discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle that a changing magnetic field induces electric current in a wire; developed concepts of electromagnetic fields and helped lay the groundwork for electric motors and generators.
- André Marie Ampère : Made key contributions defining the relationship between electric currents and magnetic fields; the unit of electric current (ampere) is named after him.
- James Clerk Maxwell : Provided the theoretical framework through Maxwell’s equations, unifying electricity, magnetism, and light as electromagnetic waves.
Thus, while Ørsted discovered the fundamental phenomenon of electromagnetism, Faraday is credited with discovering electromagnetic induction and significantly advancing the field experimentally. Both are pivotal figures in the history of electromagnetism.
